Safety razor



Nov. 29, 1932. D. s. MILLS 1,889,100

SAFETY RAZOR Filed May 15. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l av. 29, 1932 D. s. MHLLS 3 m SAFETY RAZOR Filed May 15, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BNVENTOIQ ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES DAVID S. MILLS, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK SAFETY RAZOR Application filed May 15,

This invention relates to safety razor devices and comprises improvements in the design and structural arrangement of the frame or holder member and in the form of blade employed therewith to obtain important advantages over safety razor constructions as at present used.

An important object of my present improvements is to produce a safety razor structure adapted to employ a hollow ground blade which in cross-sectional contour is substantially similar to the standard type of straight razor with special provision to allow of the blade assuming a shaving position as fiat to the face as that permitted with the standard straight blade. To this end the blade and holder are designed to have an assembling relation wherein-there is no projection beyond the normal face of the blade contour at the face engaging side of the blade. The improved construction is further designed to facilitate the assembling of the holder and blade; to be neat and compact in arrangement; to obtain a desirable distribution of the weight to havegood balance and to provide an angular arrangement of the handle element contributing to better shaving results. In its preferred form my improvements are further embodied with a double edge blade construction, giving added utility, and with simple and effective means for adjusting the handle element to positions of opposite angularity adapted to shaving with either edge of the blade.

The foregoing and other important features and advantages of my present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like.

reference characters are applied to the corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a razor device embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view thereof in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a partial, enlarged detail view taken centrally and longitudinally through the frame with the parts in assembled rela- 1931. Serial no. 537.547.

tion for use, same being taken on line H of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the handle and clamps in released position for removal 0f the blade. ,i Ml

Fig. 6 is a detail view in central, vertical section through the frame and handle elements showing the different positions of adustment of the handle element.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 7-7 of F ig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the retaining clip or clamping element.

F i 9 is a perspective view of the frame mem er.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of my improved blade structure.

Fig. 11 is a view in front elevation of a desirable modification to employ a single edge blade. v

Fig. 12 is-a view thereof in vertical section taken on line 1212 of Fig. 11 and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of my improved single edge blade for use with the holder of Figs. Hand 12. 5

An improved embodiment of the features of my invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 10 in a preferred form employing a blade I) of double edge design, the blade being of the hollow ground type having a relatively thick- 30 ened central body portion and opposite, longitudinal cutting edges 22. In accordance with my invention, the body ortion of the blade is formed with centra y positioned, longitudinally extending and oppositely po- 5 sitioned grooves or recesses 3-3 throughout the length thereof and likewise with registering notches of a corresponding width in its end portions indicated at 4. The grooves may desirably be produced in the forging or rolling of the blank from which the blades are made and are for the purpose of co-acting with the frame or holder and the clampin means thereof for retaining the blade firmly and securely in position for use. 9

The holder or supporting frame is shown at f and is integrally formed with a central body portion 5 having opposite, longitudinally extended guide portions 6 which are pressed up to have a close fit within the ooves 3 of the blade to act as a retaining Ey therefor. The guide portions at their opposite, longitudinally extending, edges are formed with downturned flanges 77 shaped to conjointly form a dovetailed guideway or key-way 9 at the rear of the frame adapted to receive therein complcmentally formed keying slide portions 10 of the blade retaining clips or clamps c0 at opposite sides of the frame.

The blade retaining clamps 0, as best shown in Fig. 8 comprise the slide portions 10, upturned connecting wall 11 and inwardly turned clamping portion or retaining clip 12.

It is further formed at its inner end with a downwardly pressed clamping socket flange 14, at its outer end with the finger lug or shoulder 15 and the slide portion 10 is provided with an elongated slot 16. The retaining clamps c are fitted to the frame with the portions 10 slid within the slots 9 of the frame and when so assembled small lugs 18 are pressed downwardly from the frame within the elongated slots 16 thereby to retain the clamps 0 against full withdrawal by limiting their outward movement.

The frame 7 is formed with longitudinally extending curved guard portions 18 positioned to have a protective spaced relation to the cutting edge of the blade in the manner well understood. The guard portions proper are connected with the frame central portion by the side arms 19-19 and the central arms 20 integral with the'guide portions 6 and central body portion 5 respectively. The arms 19 and 20 at their intermediate portions are pressed outwardly at 22 to provide bearing shoulders for rest engagement with the blades for accurately positioning the blades with relation to the guard portions.

In the improved double edge blade construction, as shown, it is desirable to provide a proper angular position of the handle element with relation to the frame and blade supported thereby and to permit of adjusting the angular relation suited for shaving with one or the other of the blade cutting edges. For this purpose I have designed an improved adjustable handle and frame connection, comprising a ball headed screw stud having a spherical head 25 and a threaded shank 26 to which the handle element27 is connected by internal thread engagement. The head portion 25 is fitted within a generally spherical socket formed by opposed formed flanges 28 prmsed rearwardly from the frame central body portion 5 and to which externally, the socket flanges 14 of the clamps have a form fitting relation, as best shown in Fig. 4. The connecting end of the handle element is in turn formed with a socket portion 30 fitting the external curvature of the flanges 14 whereby, with the clamps in the position of Fig. 4, upon turnof the blade or the dotted line position as shown suited for shaving with the opposite edge. As will be apparent from the construction, when in use it is desired the opposite blade edge it is merely necessary to give a slight loosening turn to the handle, shift the frame against the frictional hold and retighten. For replacing of the blade the handle is further loosened as shown in Fig. 5, the clamping members 0 pulled outwardly the full allowable distance which fully releases the blade for removal.

A particularly important feature of my improved construction as shown consists in the co-acting form of the blade and holder whereby the guide portions 6 have a close fit within the groove 3 of the blade thereby to rigidly retain the blade from an ular displacement and further in the highly desirable and advantageous arrangement wherein the clamping means, consisting of the spring clamps or clips 0, are arranged to be so received within the grooves 3 and notches 4 of the blade whereby they are non-projecting beyond the normal contour of the blade. This allows of shaving close to the ears and with the angular range of adjustment to the full range allowable with the ordinary straight razor.

While I have shown and described an approved embodiment of the features of my invention, it will be understood that various modifications ma be made therein without departing from t 1e scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As illustrative thereof, I have shown in Figs. 11 to 13 a desirable modification employing a single edge blade I) and having a similar arrangement of holding clamps c slidably fitted to the frame f which is altered to have a flange to overlie the head of the blade the structure being otherwise similar to that as described. This arrangement provides a single edge construction having the advantages aforesaid and wherein the shaving angle may be adjusted to suit the user.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having a. longitudinally disposed projection and guideways, a blade formed with a longitudinal groove on its opposite faces positioned to receive the projection to hold it against angular displacement, oppositely positioned clamps hav mg guide portions fitted to the guide-ways i and clamping portions to engage the blade within the outwardly positioned groove thereof.

2. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having a longitudinally disposed projection and guide-ways, a blade formed with a longitudinal groove on its opposite faces positioned to receive the projection to hold it against angular displacement, oppositely positioned clamps having guide portions fitted to the guide-ways and clamping portions to engage the blade within the outwardly positioned groove and a handle element secured to the frame and adapted to secure the clamps in closed position.

3. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having a longitudinally disposed projection and guide-ways, a blade formed with a longitudinal groove on its opposite faces positioned to receive the projection to hold it against angular displacement, oppositely positioned clamping elements having guide portions fitted to the guide-ways and clamping portions to engage the blade within the outwardly positioned groove thereof and a handle adjustably secured to the frame member to allow opposite angular positioning thereof and arranged to effect locking of the clamps in securing position.

l. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade, a double edge blade formed with opposite, longitudinal grooves adapted to co-act with retaining means and adjustable clamping means adapted to engage the blade within the groove and formed to be non-projecting from the normal outer face of the blade.

5. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having a longitudinally disposed projection and guide-ways, a blade formed with a longitudinal groove on it opposite faces positioned to receive the projection to hold it against angular displacement, oppositely positioned clamping elements having guide portions fitted to the guide-ways and clamping portions to engage the blade within the outwardly ositioned groove, a headed screw stud tted through an aperture in the frame, a handle element threaded to the stud and projections on the clamping elements adapted to be interposed between the frame and handle elements when the clamping elements are in closed position whereby on tightening of the handle it will secure the clamps in position.

6. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having longitudinally disposed shoulder formations and guideways at the rear thereof, a blade of double edge form provided with a longitudinal groove in its opposite faces positioned to receive the shoulder formations to hold it against angular displacement, oppositel positioned clamping elements having gui e portions fitted to the uideways and clamping portions to engage t e blade within the outwardly positioned groove, means to limit the movement of the clamping elements, a headed screw stud fitted through an aperture in the frame, a handle element threaded to the stud and projections on the clamping elements adapted to be interposed between the frame and handle elements when the clamping elements are in closed position to be secured upon tightening of the handle and said handle element being adjustable to positions of opposite angular relation to the frame, substantially as described. 3

7. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having longitudinally disposed shoulder formations and guideways at the rear thereof, a blade of-double edge form provided with a longitudinal groove in its opposite faces positioned to receive the shoulder formations to secure it from angular displacement and with notches in its end portions connecting the grooves, oppositely positioned clamping elements having guide portions fitted to the guideways and clamping portions fitted within the grooves and notches to be non-projecting from the nor mal contour of the blade, means to limit the outward movement of the clamping elements, a headed screw stud fitted through an aperture in the frame, a handle element threaded to the stud and projections on the clamping elements adapted to be interposed between the frame and handle elements when the clamping elements are in closed position.

8. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade having longitudinally disposed shoulder formations and guideways, a blade of double edge form provided with a longitudinal groove in its opposite faces positioned to receive the shoulder formations to hold it against angular displacement, oppositely positioned clamping elements having guide portions fitted to the guideways and clamping portions to engage the blade within the outwardly positioned groove and a handle element ad ustably secured to the frame and capable of assuming positions in opposite angular relation to the frame, substantially as. described.

9. A safet razor comprising a supporting frame for a lade having longitudinally disposed shoulder formations and guideways, a blade of double edge form provided with a longitudinal groove in its opposite faces positioned to receive the shoulder formations to hold it against angular displacement, clamping elements operable within the guideways having clamping portions to enga e the blade within the outwardly positione handle element adjustably secured to the frame and capable of assuming positions in opposite angular relation to the frame and projections on the clamping elements interposed between the handle and frame when groove, a 1

the clamping elements are in closed position so as to be secured by said handle element upon tightening thereof.

10. A safety razor comprisin a supporting frame for a blade, a blade 0 double edge form provided with a longitudinal groove in its opposite faces, clamping means on the frame to engage the blade within the groove and to be non-projecting therefrom and a handle element adjustably supported on the frame to assume positions of opposite angularity with relation thereto.

11. A safety razor comprising a supporting frame for a blade, a blade of double edge form formed for retaining engagement with the frame, clamping means on the frame to enga e the blade and a handle element adjusta ly supported to assume positions of opposite angularity with relation to the frame, said frame, clamping means and handle element being interengaged whereby upon tightening of the handle the parts are firmly clamped in position.

12. A hollow ground blade for safety razors comprising a body of rectangular form having cutting edges at its opposite longitudinal edges, said blade being formed with a thickened central portion having centrally positioned longitudinal grooves in its opposite faces, said grooves having their side walls substantially parallel and perpendicular to a plane passing through the cutting edges and the width of said grooves being relatively narrow as compared to the width of the blade.

13. A blade for safety razors comprising a body of rectangular form having cutting edges at its opposite longitudinal edges, said blade being formed with centrally positioned, longitudinal grooves in its opposite faces and with centrally positioned notches in its ends registering with said grooves.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York, May,

DAVID S. MILLS. 

